Barcelona 2, New York Red Bulls 0
GERHARD STRUBER: Yeah, for all my players, coaching staff and me, I would say a very interesting game against one of the biggest teams in Europe. I think was in one direction, I think a game where we can grow and especially with the situation against Orlando, and now we are back and everyone knows the painful feeling after the Orlando game.
I think today, the boys was ready with a very good confidence. I think we played, especially the first half, I think in many directions and our basics in a successful way. Yeah, in many moments, also a big mission, and not always control over the game.
In our synchronized pressing together on the field was on a very good level. Of course, we changed the whole team in the second half and also the second half, one or more good moment for us, I think a little bit of luck, they have some good chances but in the end, we have to realize that they are an outstanding good team with a quality on the whole roster on the highest level.
Yeah, my boys create a good evening. I think also the atmosphere was outstanding. I hope we could reproduce this Tuesday again. I think the atmosphere is brilliant in our stadium and was a nice feeling for everyone, and I think for many, many players today, but for every single player, I think a magic night.
Q. When you have a few teenagers on the pitch, obviously who have played on the USL side, how big do you think this experience is for them and how important for you guys going into the future, as well?
GERHARD STRUBER: Yeah, I think of course every game at that time young players get game time on this level is a big win and in the end is a big chance to grow.
Today the boys see, also, when our system is also not so easy for them. We know how they can handle in tight spaces, moments with high technical skills and abilities with the decision-making, how quickly they find solutions. I think all of that is I think when you have the reality live on the field with players against that, of course you can grow, and every minute is a big win for every single player, and I think for players in the USL.
Q. How impressed were you by Carlos's play tonight given the level of striker he was against?
GERHARD STRUBER: Yeah, this was one more time I think a very good performance from him. But I expect that, a little bit at the moment it's not surprised that he's stable. He's very good. He has a quality and he realizes quality, also, against Barcelona today in some moments. Necessary, of course, and I'm very, very happy with him and I told him this many, many times how important is he for us, and which impact he has.
Of course I am very, very happy, also, with him today.
Q. You spoke about it this year, but how do you tell the players, because most of the people were rooting for Barcelona, so how do you prepare them mentally for that?
GERHARD STRUBER: You think? (Laughter) yes, of course, we can see many Barcelona t-shirts in the stadium. Yeah, we spoke about that; that the atmosphere is a little bit different than normal when we play at home. But the energy in the stadium and the atmosphere, I think what was also in our direction, the supporters realized how difficult it is against us. This is my personal feeling and a little bit interpretation. I think, also, they have a lot of respect what we did on the field.
I think, of course, we can see a stadium sold out, so many people would be perfect, then we would have this would be amazing for my boys. Maybe some of the supporters find a little bit a good feeling or good moments today and thinking maybe I come again and look at the Bulls. I hope we use this moment to make a little bit of a motion in this direction and hopefully they come again.
Q. A few weeks ago when asked, Carlos talked about being left out of the All-Star Game and he said he thinks he's one of, if not the best goalkeeper in the MLS right now. After a performance like this, can that get him back in the spotlight for this people?
GERHARD STRUBER: For me, of course, he's the best keeper in the League. This is also not a big surprise. He's so stable in his performances, and he is in more directions a top keeper.
Of course, everyone can see how he catch balls and save moments for us and save points, and also, we have so young a group on the field. And you have a goalkeeper with his ability how he affects with his power the whole back line, to be more confident, to be more -- I think the whole effect what he has for points, for development, for a bigger group in the back line, is massive, but I think this is, of course, my view. I think some experts, I believe they share my views. I'm very close, and I see what he did in the past and also in the here and now, and I am outstanding happy with him and I have a big respect how he realize for us stable on a top level, top moments.
Q. Obviously it's only a friendly game but what could you take away defensively, your starters only gave up one goal, and you only gave up only two goals to one of the best teams in the world. How did that sit with you?
GERHARD STRUBER: I think maybe on the same bench, everyone knows his role what we have to do, and it's also against us, one of the best teams in the world, very, very difficult to find good moments, and also crush for some players, their mindset a little bit how we go, and how was our moment. And also, the coaching send us an big appreciation after the game, and they have a good feel; that they never would say that. I think also from this direction, I think it's very good to hear when you get the feedback from the coaching team on this level how they appreciate our organization and our behavior.
Q. Question about Danny Edelman's performance, somewhat an unfamiliar center back role and gets the red card but were you impressed with his performance before that and is center back a performance he'll play more long term or was that for rotation?
GERHARD STRUBER: Absolutely not the long approach and this was today for rotation. If he protect the whole situation a little bit better, we can use every single player, and he played also in the preseason sometimes in this position. And I don't like to change in the halftime the system again. We stay in the system.
This was the reason that we play with him in the center back role but he's a six, very clear six, and I will bring him also in game time in the next few weeks in this position. He showed me this in Austin that he is ready. He's a player with very good attitude and yeah, he goes from the academy, from the second team in our first team. I think he's a player with a big future here and we will help him also.
Q. You talked about the atmosphere and the fan support. When you play a team like Barcelona and a big, national club like that, for the front office, is that a case to showcase the MLS as far as a players comes from overseas to play in the United States to say, hey, this is what you can look forward to playing?
GERHARD STRUBER: Of course, I think situations like that make every direction a promotion for players, yes. I think when you have an atmosphere like that, this is, yeah, it's different. It's a big push for every single one.
This is also I think very interesting for players when we play against and have a full house and have a chance to show that. The atmosphere today was amazing and would be perfect when we would have this again and again.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports